Chapter Twenty-One Charlotte
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHARLOTTE
G arrett, take off your jacket now.” Penny bossed us around before the ugly sweater contest started.
“I love a forward woman.” He winked and undid his jacket.
She ignored his comment, but she eyed his very ugly, very inappropriate holiday sweater. “Is that… two humping reindeer?”
“Yes.” Garrett beamed. “I read the team requirements, and I am wearing red and green, this is homemade, and I’d consider it cozy. Wouldn’t you, Char? Want to cuddle me to prove it?”
I snorted. “Nah.”
Hayden caught my gaze and playfully rolled his eyes.
Penny snapped and moved her attention to Hayden. “You’re next, show me your sweater.”
Hayden’s gaze landed on me, his gray eyes warming with amusement before he unbuttoned his coat. “I followed the rules, Penny.”
“Good boy.” She nodded at his blue sweater with snowflakes. “It’ll do, but it’s not great.”
Penny turned to me. “Yours, Charlotte. Tell me you did something good.”
Everyone stared at me.
I opened my coat like I was flashing them and squeezed my eyes shut. “Read it and weep.”
“Oh my God.” Penny cheered before clapping her hands. “I love it!”
“Jesus.” Christian groaned. “For real? For real, Char-char Binks?”
“Can I get really close to the photos, just to inspect them. Maybe the one right there?” Garrett asked, his voice closer to me. He bent down to stare at the photo near my boob.
“No.” Hayden’s voice cut through. “Great sweater, Charlotte. Funny.”
“Thank you very much.” I redid my jacket, the embarrassment sliding away. Yes, my sweater was booger green and covered in embarrassing photos of my brother. My handiwork was excellent and Christian covered his face in shame. The photos were all of him and they were epic.
Penny cleared her throat before saying, “Thank you all for following directions. Now let’s try and win.”
We didn’t win the ugly sweater contest, but Garrett did come in fourth. I wanted to annoy Christian, which—mission freaking accomplished. I swayed to the beat as a group of sorority girls sang “Santa Baby.” They were off beat but so confident and fun that I couldn’t stop myself from moving.
I also could’ve been on cloud nine with everything happening with Hayden. It was almost hard to believe that we were doing this. He and I. It felt easy and impossible at the same time. Our chemistry was off the charts, and we understood each other in such a meaningful way that it was like we spent the last decade studying the other person. I knew his weaknesses; he knew mine. He acted like having Gwen would make it harder to date when, in fact, I loved her so much. She wouldn’t be an inconvenience to me. Ever.
“It’s our turn! Let’s go!” Penny threw her arms in the air and waved her hands toward all of us. “We’re singing!”
“No, thank you.” Hayden shook his head. “I don’t sing.”
“Come on, what would it take?” Christian had been feeling the drinks the last hour and pulled Hayden into a half hug. “How much?”
“My heart to stop beating, probably.” Hayden met my gaze and smirked.
“Dramatic, bro.” Garrett grabbed my hand and spun me in a fast circle. “You better come up there and belt it out with me, Calhoun.”
“Oh, I’ll belt with you.” I laughed as I almost knocked into a couple next to us. Hayden gripped my belt loop and stilled me, his hands pressing on my back and stomach. He gave me a gentle pat before releasing me.
I was a hot mess of horniness around him. His intentions were so pure and kind, wanting to talk, but I was walking on a tightrope. Every touch from him lit me up. We might know everything about each other outside of the bedroom, but inside? I couldn’t wait to explore. I shuddered just thinking about him on his knees in front of me. Hottest moment of my life.
“Enough stalling, come on!” Penny dragged Garrett and me to the stage. My brother already had the mic in hand as “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” came on. Christian had recently become obsessed with the newer version of the Grinch, the hip-hop song. It was short but it was so much fun, and the upbeat thuds started as Christian and Penny rapped.
I was more of a backup singer and dancer, never the center of attention. My brother and Penny sang and entertained the crowd while Garrett and I laughed and clapped along. My attention kept returning to Hayden, who stood in his ridiculous outfit, a smile on his lips and his gaze never wavering from me. A flutter of nerves hit me, wondering if we were moving too fast. I already loved the guy, and now sex and dating were involved. I was gonna fall even faster and harder, almost to the point of no return, but how could I not? He was my dream man.
The song came to an end, and the next hour flew by. People got drunker, except Penny kept her tune somehow. I was feeling the peppermint drink Hayden bought me, but my mind was on going back to the room. I wanted Hayden where I didn’t have to keep my hands to myself. He stood next to me, body heat radiating from him as he leaned down and whispered, “How much longer do we have to stay?”
“Ha, you read my mind.”
He ran his fingers under the back of my sweater, the rough pads trailing along my spine. “I regret keeping this secret already.”
“It’s the right thing to do.” I wanted to close my eyes and lean into him, let his deep voice wash over me. “What’s our excuse to head back?”
“Make something up. Anything. I’m getting impatient. Watching you dance all night? And letting Garrett talk to you?”
“Mm, my plan worked then.” I faced him and stared at his mouth.
He breathed deeper as his fingers dug into my waist. “Fuck, I want to kiss you.”
I leaned close enough to feel his breath on my face. His lips parted, and his muscles tensed, almost like he was bracing for me. Then, before my lips met his, I darted right. “We should still talk first, right?”
“My evil little elf.”
I winked and made my way to Penny and Christian. “Hey, guys, I’m heading in. Can I buy you a shot before I leave?”
“I’m okay. Thank you though!” Penny pulled me into a hug. “This has been the best weekend ever. Thank you for coming. Thank you for being you. Thank you for being the best sister-in-law ever.”
My grin matched hers. This was such a good sign that things were okay. She squeezed me hard before Christian joined. We now were in an awkward sandwich, and I was right in the middle. My heart swelled with joy being between them and the thing with Hayden. It all felt so right, I about burst. “Love you maniacs.”
“You too. See you in the morning before we go back to regular life. Ugh.” My brother swayed to the side.
I laughed as I walked away, glancing over my shoulder at Hayden, who stood with his hands in his pockets. Winking, I strutted back toward my hotel room with the hope he’d show up soon. I didn’t care what he said, just that he was as desperate as I was for this to happen.
He didn’t take long. I barely got into my room with my shoes off before a knock sounded on the door.
“Charlotte, I swear to—”
“Hi.” I swung it open, smiling at the man of my dreams looking at me like I was a snack. He didn’t say another word before he kicked the door shut and picked me up. I wrapped my legs around him, kissed his neck, and squealed when he tossed me on the bed.
“Naked. I need you naked.” He tugged his sweater off, along with his shoes and socks, and then had his pants down before I even removed my shirt.
“How the hell did you strip that fast?” I laughed as I threw my shirt on the floor; the bra followed. He gently shoved my hands out of the way, and he slid my jeans and underwear down my body.
“I’m motivated and desperate. Lethal combination.”
He stood in front of me, chest gleaming as I ran a finger down him. He trembled as I touched him. He was so thick and strong, and a light dusting of hair greeted me.
“I’ve wanted to lick you,” I whispered, moving toward the edge of the bed to get a closer look at him. He always felt off-limits. “Can I?”
“Then do it.” His voice was hoarse, gravelly. “Put that wicked tongue on me.”
“Then be a good boy and sit on the bed.”
His nostrils flared as he switched spots with me. He wore only black boxer shorts, and I was totally naked. Despite just crossing a line with him, I felt more comfortable in my skin than I ever had before. He made me feel and believe I was sexy.
I grinned up at him and leaned forward, dragging my tongue over his pecs. He tasted salty. His muscles tensed, like he was seconds away from bursting. I liked this. He always seemed so unattainable, so far out of reach, the fact that I had him right in front of me had me feeling sorta high.
I never tried drugs because I was focused on sports, but man, this rush… I understood it. I could live in this headspace and die happy. “Hayden,” I moaned, flattening my tongue along his collarbone.
I bit his neck, and he shuddered. It made me feel drunk. Powerful. In charge. I made this gorgeous, perfect man tremble? “I like making you weak in the knees for me.”
He chuckled, the sound deep and glorious as he ran his hand down my bare back. He dug in his fingers just above my ass. The pressure caused me to fall into him, and I used the contact to feel his hard muscles, defined from hours in the gym. Sharp angles, grit, and toughness. Hayden worked for everything in his life, his toned body included.
“Turn around,” I demanded, my eyes already fluttering from his touch on my back.
“What?” He lifted his head, his eyes clouded with lust.
“I’ve fantasized about you like this for years. I want my look.”
His lips twitched. “Years?”
“Yes.” I had no shame. His tongue had been inside me, so we were past the point of embarrassment. “Strip and turn.”
He swallowed and stared at me hard as he pushed his boxers down. “Tell me what else you fantasized about then.”
I whimpered. I couldn’t tell what way was up or down, what day it was, what month, year, or state I was in. He slid the last piece of clothing off, standing completely naked in front of me. His cock stood on end, thick and perfect.
I hadn’t been with many guys, but Hayden’s dick was glorious. I couldn’t even speak. I had to touch him. Feel his length, how hard he was. Would he lean into my touch? Would his cock grow heavy? I fisted him, and he barked out a cuss. “You like this?”
“You have no idea.”
I pumped him, licking my lips as I forgot my original plan to taste him from head to toe. Instead, I lowered myself and took him in my mouth. I didn’t want to miss my chance to have Hayden come undone.
“Holy shit, baby.” He cradled my head, stumbling back a step. “Your mouth is killing me.”
“Mm,” I hummed, taking him as deep as I could. His salty taste and intoxicating smell overwhelmed me. Each sound he made was a bolt of lust to my gut.
He jolted. His muscles tensed. He dug his fingers into my hair, growling deep in his chest. “Fuck. Fuck. ” His grip tightened, and he stopped me. “No, I’m not coming in your mouth.”
“Why?” I asked, on my knees as I stared up at him. The way he looked at me… it gave me shivers. “I thought you wanted to fulfill my fantasies.”
“Me coming in your mouth is your fantasy?” he asked, his eyes pure black and sexy. “Jesus, Char.”
I nodded, and his eyes fluttered, like he couldn’t hold out. I was pure lust and power as I took him again, cupping his balls in one hand. He muttered things, but they were unintelligible. I couldn’t make out a single thing as he groaned and thrust into my mouth.
He was close. His thick thighs tightened, and I used my free hand to grab his delicious ass. His glutes were magnificent, meaty, and ugh . I groaned with him filling my mouth, and that sent him off.
“Christ, Charlotte!” he said, staring down at me as he released himself. He never broke eye contact. His face was the definition of wild abandon. His eyes were wide and dark, and sweat pooled on his forehead.
I swallowed and grinned. “Wow.”
“Kiss me.” He pulled me up, slamming his mouth against mine. “You are so damn sexy.”
I giggled. Me. I was very much not a giggler. I would never forget this night. The deep tone of his voice and hooded eyes that were… Yeah, I’d be reliving this forever.
Hayden gripped the back of my head, gently tugging my hair so I was forced to look up at him. He kissed down my jaw, sucking my skin before meeting my gaze. “You,” he said, his voice breaking. “Incredible. Fucking incredible.”
Those simple words had me feeling all types of ways. Moisture pooled between my thighs from seeing him fall apart, but the tender look in his eyes wasn’t just sexual. There was something more there. “So are you,” I whispered back, my heart suddenly in my throat.
Closing his eyes, he kissed my forehead, then my nose, and then my mouth. “Everything feels so right with you,” he said. He lay on his side, staring at me as he smiled. “Can I please stay in here with you tonight?”
“Sleep in bed with me?”
He nodded, his eyes intense. It was clear my answer mattered to him a lot. My heart thudded so hard against my ribs.
“If you want. I’m happy to go back to my room too if you’re not comfortable. I just—” He cleared his throat. “Want to spend all night learning little things about you. Like this birthmark behind your ear? Fucking adorable.”
Why did my eyes prickle at this? Blinking away any evidence of tears, I nodded.
“Use your words, Charlotte. You owe me that.”
“Yes, I’d love if you could spend the night with me.”
His answering smile made my stomach swoop. The way he looked at me had my insides kicking and screaming, and yeah, I loved how he looked at me.
He looks at me like he loves me.
I shook the thought away, because that was crazy. We couldn’t love each other already… right?